Quarteira ( or ) is a Portuguese civil parish, in the municipality (concelho) of Loulé in the Algarve. The population in 2011 was 21,798, in an area of 38.16 km². History The settlement of the region dates back to, at least, the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula (at one time confused with the village of Carteia). There are still other authors who suggest that settlement of the region may have begun in the era of Phoenician or Carthaginian traders. For several centuries, Quarteira was a modest fishing village, situated on the edge of a beach, encircled by pines. King Denis authorized a foral (charter) for the settlement on 15 November 1297. In the 15th century, King John I of Portugal ordered the first cultivation of sugar cane in continental Portugal. Created in 1916, the civil parish quickly became known for its beaches, fishing and its forests of pine. Quarteira was elevated to the status of cidade (city) on 13 May 1999. Geography Quarteira is a coastal civil parish, located along the southern extent of the Algarve fronting Albufeira Municipality to the west (in the parish of Olhos de Água). In addition, the local area authority is bordered in the east by Almancil, northeast by São Clemente, north by São Sebastião and Boliqueime. From the Atlantic coast, the frontier with its neighbours extends northwest along the Ribeira de Algibre, before following the M526 municipal roadway to the Estrada Nacional EN125 in Maritenda. From here, the border travels southeast along the EN125 until just after the N396 motorway, where it then divides along a ravine southwest towards the Atlantic Ocean, alongside the Royal Golf Course. The coast includes of normally-classified Blue Flag beach. Economy Golf remains a symbol for this parish, municipality, and region, with five distinct golf courses contributing to the economy, particularly during the off-season. In relation to this sport, the parish is home to Vilamoura, Europe's largest private tourist facility. In addition, the region accommodates various tourists with two hundred hotels and residences, including casinos, bars and discos. Architecture Archaeological Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila () Civic Apartment Complex Avenida de Sagres, 147/149 () Apartment Complex Quarteira I () Apartment Complex Rua de São Tomé e Príncipe, 26/36 () Fiscal Guard Post of Quarteira () Lighthouse of Vilamoura () Loulé-Praia de Quarteira Railway Station () Maritime Delegation of Quarteira () Residence Cada do Mirante () Residence Gonçalves